Linda Moeser Ceramics

I vividly remember owning my first piece of handmade pottery. As a birthday gift, a friend let me pick out a piece from a local potter and I was beyond thrilled when I got to go home with a lovely, handcrafted pitcher. I felt so fancy using it for iced tea. It exquisitely held a bouquet of flowers. It sat in a place of honor in my little apartment and gave me joy. It was beautiful and practical, and I was delighted to own a handmade piece of art.

As a ceramics maker I endeavor to create functional, beautiful and unique pots for the home that enrich the everyday experience, perhaps transforming ordinary moments to moments of joy.

Much of my inspiration is driven by my love of gardening and my earlier career as a floral designer. My passion for gardening is often evident in my work. I am inspired by the textures and colors found in my gardens, and translate this into my pieces by combing different types of clays, glazes and textures. Frequently a particular flower will inspire the shape or color of a vessel.

I also enjoy making useful handcrafted pottery that enhance the ritual of cooking and eating. Using handcrafted pottery can make the ordinary feel celebratory. Choosing a handmade mug for my morning coffee is one way to make early mornings feel less mundane, a tad more cheerful.

I utilize a combination of wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques, employing a variety of glazes and textures to create unique surfaces and forms. I use several different kinds of clay, but mainly stoneware, one brown and one white. My work is fired to high temperatures, resulting in durable and expressive pieces.

Born in Colorado, my young family started life in the White Mountains of New Hampshire (where 3 of my 4 children were born), upstate New York ( another child born in the beautiful Adirondacks) but part of my childhood and most of my adult life has been spent in the Northern Virginia area.